New Wave Skateboards

Not all “maple veneer” is made the same. We build our decks using resawn (sawn) maple veneer, meaning each ply is cut from carefully selected maple lumber rather than being peeled from a log.

Cleaner fiber structure

Resawn veneer is cut in a way that helps preserve continuous wood fibers through the sheet. This supports stronger, more predictable plies, especially in high-stress areas where a deck flexes and rebounds.

More consistent grain = more consistent flex

Because resawn veneer starts from graded lumber, we can select for straight, uniform grain and avoid excessive grain runout. That translates into more consistent flex and pop from deck to deck, not just a “good one” once in a while.

Reduced micro-checking

Rotary-peeled veneer (peeled like a paper roll from a log) can develop tiny surface micro-checks during the peeling process. Those micro-checks aren’t always visible, but they can matter in performance areas where the wood is under tension during impacts and hard landings. Resawn veneer is chosen to help reduce that variability and keep the plies more uniform.

Built for durability, not just looks

Our goal is a deck that stays responsive session after session. Resawn veneer helps create a more dependable foundation, so the finished layup can deliver stable strength, reliable feel, and long-term durability.

We build the boards we ride, so we want them to be perfect in every way. Most major skateboard brands are manufactured in the same overseas factories—so, in many cases, no matter which company you choose, the boards are coming from the same place. Our boards are built in our shop and tested by us, which is why we’re able to customize on the spot for our customers.

We use a generous three layers of heavy-duty basalt fiber reinforcement. While most companies, in an effort to cut costs, use two layers of cheaper fiberglass, fiberglass can be susceptible to water damage and delamination. Basalt fiber offers a perfect balance of reinforced stability and vibration dampening, giving the board a natural feel while increasing strength and keeping it lightweight. Fiberglass is heavy, and carbon fiber can increase board chatter due to its high resonance—making the board less comfortable to ride with all that vibration.

Basalt is the perfect reinforcement for skateboards. It’s also more abrasion-resistant than carbon fiber and fiberglass, so your board won’t razor tail as quickly—resulting in a longer-lasting deck. Basalt is made from volcanic rock, and because it’s a natural material, it can be less environmentally impactful to manufacture.

We don’t use heat-transfer graphics. Heat-transfer systems typically rely on plastic films and adhesives that create unnecessary waste and can end up in landfills. They also commonly require hot-melt glue to bond the graphic to the deck. That glue layer is relatively soft, can slow down slides, and offers limited abrasion protection—meaning the bottom of the board can wear faster over time.

Instead, we use a technically advanced process called hydrographic printing. With hydrographics, the graphic bonds directly to the board’s surface without hot glue or disposable plastic transfer layers. The result is a cleaner, more integrated graphic that supports smoother board slides, stronger wear resistance, and longer-lasting durability—while keeping the deck feeling natural and performance-focused.

We finish every New Wave Skateboards deck with a premium 2K high-impact, scratch-resistant clear coat that protects the graphic and creates a harder, faster surface for longer, smoother board slides. Unlike slick-bottom plastic layers that can add weight and feel artificial underfoot, our 2K finish keeps the board feeling natural while still delivering that durable, slide-friendly performance much like the boards we grew up using. Most skateboards on the market use only a thin layer of clear over the graphic, which can wear down quickly—exposing the softer graphic adhesive layer underneath and reducing slide consistency over time.